Flemish Unicorn Tapestries

Perhaps all unicorn lovers have seen these Lady and the Unicorn tapestries (they’ve been around a while). However, many may not realize that it is a series of pieces, each one depicting a different sense.

About the Work

Thought to have been created late in the 15th century in Flanders, they are made of wool & silk. Some circles consider the collection to be one of the greatest works of art that come out of Europe during the Middle Ages.

One For Each Sense

Five of the tapestries represent our five senses, taste, hearing, sight, smell and touch.

The final piece says À mon seul désir, the meaning of which is not entirely clear but its thought to represent a sixth sense of understanding or compassion.

Taste

Taking sweets from a dish to taste

Hearing

Playing the portative organ to hear the music

Sight

Looking into the mirror at the reflection

Smell

Stopping to smell the flowers

Touch

Touching to prove reality

À mon seul désir

This piece has been interpreted in a number of different ways, it is wider and slightly different from the others.

Love the Unusual

Most of us remember these from childhood, their images have been floating around for years. I had no idea they had such significance in European art of the Middle Ages. If you enjoy these, you may also enjoy checking out some more contemporary unicorn art.